Author's Note: Over 150 reviews!? My goodness are you guys awesome! Thank you all so much for continuing to support me and my little story! (Yeah, I know I say that a lot, but it's true!) I am so, so happy right now! I also want to thank you guys for understanding. Sometimes it might be days before I can even turn on my computer, so I appreciate the civility and kindness you all shared. I can feel your love!
Unexpected
By: Mad Betrayal
"The language of friendship is not words but meanings…"—Henry Davis Thoreau
Chapter 18 ~ Pendulum
I messed up, but…it's not like I didn't try…
Jay's eyes stared solemnly at the computer screen as his fingers continued to work the keyboard. The data pertaining to the meteor shower would take a few minutes to transfer onto a flash drive, so that left him plenty of time to sulk about his previous blunder.
I didn't actually expect Cole to respond that way…
Long, nimble fingers paused mid-stroke as Jay recalled what his best friend said moments before:
"Don't. Ever. Say that. Again. No one can replace you, Jay. No one."
How was he supposed to counter that? Simple, he couldn't. Nor did he want to. Jay's heart had soared upon hearing such passionate words from Cole. But like a pendulum hitting its central axis, his happiness caused Nya pain. The blue ninja swallowed and resumed typing. He always hated seeing his ex-girlfriend in distress, and to think he was the cause of it only added to his misery.
I'll try harder to help you, Nya… Geez, I'm supposed to be trying to fall out of love with Cole… Not fall even deeper for him…
A pleasant jingle soon reached Jay's ears, and he noticed that the relay had been completed. Smiling slightly, he removed the flash drive and put it in his coat pocket for safe keeping. It was now time to leave his lab. But upon heading for the deck, he considered stopping by the bridge to check up on Nya. However, with a heavy heart, decided against it.
I'll leave her to Kai…
Instead, he decided to check on Brad and Lloyd. He was worried about the raven, after all. Stopping outside of Lloyd's room, he knocked politely on the door and opened it a crack to peak in. He found his blonde charge sitting at Brad's bedside looking fretful, and Jay grimaced, slipping inside the room.
"How is he?" He asked, walking quietly towards the pair.
The green ninja's concerned expression didn't waver as he looked to Jay. "He's resting okay. He hasn't cried out or even moved so…" Scarlet orbs shifted back to the raven's sleeping face, his frown deepening. "Kaasan…?"
Jay moved closer and settled his hands on the younger man's shoulders. "Yeah? What is it, bud?" He then realized how tense Lloyd was, and started to gently remedy that. Despite the heavy layering of Lloyd's peacoat, Jay could still reach and soothe the tightly wound muscles of his shoulders and neck.
He had no choice but to stop, however, when one of Lloyd's gloved hands shot up and grabbed one of his. Jay blinked with surprise. "Kaasan…" Lloyd's voice was low and quiet, but the edge of seriousness was easy to detect. "I want to start… I think…" Taking another moment to collect his thoughts and steel himself, Lloyd tried again. "Brad needs to be trained…" Jay expelled a soft gasp, but Lloyd carried on with conviction, his voice rising with each word. "He needs to learn how to control his power… I don't want him to suffer like this…"
Jay stayed silent for a moment, letting the words sink in thoroughly. In all honesty, this subject had been lingering in the back of his mind for some time now. Though Brad was still, in a sense, "recovering", he had shown great strides to try and adapt to his new life. Granted it had only been eleven days since his vehement outburst against Sensei Garmadon, no one could deny the fact that he had mellowed. Initially, Jay had felt an extreme sense of sympathy towards the forcibly altered youth. And while those feelings remained…he now trusted Brad too.
Nodding firmly, Jay squeezed Lloyd's shoulders. "Then it should be brought to Sensei Wu and Sensei G's attention," he said, and the lightning ninja could practically feel the tension leave Lloyd's body. "But, you know reservations towards Brad might still linger with them, Lloyd. They may not allow it."
"But you'll vouch for him, right kaasan?" Lloyd erupted desperately. "You and Zane both understand how he feels. He was just angry! Hell, anybody would be if their family and lives had been taken from them!"
"Of course I will," Jay soothed. "I think Brad has a good heart and a smart head on his shoulders. I also believe that training him may serve as a helping hand in his rehabilitation, just like how I believe he needs to be with you," he finished, pinching Lloyd's reddening cheek.
"Hey stop that!" Lloyd chuckled, swatting away the teasing hand and Jay grinned toothily.
"Sorry, couldn't resist!" He chirped then sobered up. He leaned down to encircle an arm around the blonde in a loose hug. "But don't worry, okay? Everything will work out in the end… I'm on your side, Lloyd." And with that, Jay turned his head and placed a chaste kiss to Lloyd's temple before straightening up and ruffling his hair.
He moved to let go of Lloyd, but the other held fast to his hand and stood up to face him. Jay's eyebrows lifted at the younger's fierce expression. "I feel the same. I'm on your side, kaasan."
Jay stared confusedly at Lloyd for a moment before a smile slowly etched across his lips. "Well I would hope so!" He boasted and gave his charge a playful wink. "I am your loving kaasan, after all!"
But Lloyd's face remained unchanged, his dark rubies staring faithfully into gleaming sapphires. "Yes, you are."
Jay felt himself falter at Lloyd's sudden change in attitude. The way the younger ninja was looking at him made he feel like the words spoken to him meant more than just friendship. He blushed and scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Ah…listen, you need to know what's going on. We're right above New Ninjago City. Cole, Kai, Zane, and I are about to go down to Wolf Network Broadcasting Station to see if we can get a warning about the meteors broadcast to the world."
"I would like to come with you all, but…" Lloyd cast a worried glance down at his bedridden friend, prompting Jay to place an assuring hand on his shoulder.
"Nah, you're staying here. Cole has already given the orders for you guys to regroup with us later once the Bounty is in a safe place. So just focus on caring for Brad."
The green ninja nodded. "Understood. Be careful, kaasan."
Jay flashed a lop-sided grin and placed his hands on his hips. "Sure. You know me."
This time, Lloyd did return a playful smile. "Yeah, that's why I'm worried."
Laughing good-naturedly, Jay ruffled Lloyd's hair affectionately one last time, wished Brad a nice rest, and left the room. Readjusting the hand-made scarf around his neck, Jay's long legs got him to the front-end of the ship in no time. He grasped the handle to the deck door, but then hesitated before opening it.
He closed his eyes and took a deep, calming breath. Okay, remember, Jay, everything's fine… Put your emotions to the side and just focus on the mission at hand… The mission… The mission…
"Jay…"
The Master of Lighting immediately tensed upon hearing Cole call to him. Okay, never mind! Mission abort! Mission abort! I can't handle this! But instead of giving in to his urge to run away from his best friend, he snapped his eyes open and turned to him.
"Oh hey! Cole…" Jay felt another blush creep up on and beautify his cheeks, but this time for a much different reason... Did the black ninja have to dress so sexually alluring? Deep blue eyes trailed up and down the taller man's figure. As one would expect, Cole's form was mostly incased in black. His lower half was covered in black trousers and black wolverine boots. But his upper body was what got Jay all hot and bothered. Cole appeared to be wearing a cream-colored turtleneck with a simple silver crucifix around his neck. Perhaps to symbolize his Catholic roots. As well as a long, black leather trench coat that stopped just a little passed his knees. So couple his casual yet appealing attire with his physical attractiveness, and you got yourself a very fine-looking young man.
Jay thought Cole looked good, and when he gave a quick whiff, he thought he smelled even better.
A black-gloved hand soon reached up to cradle his blushing cheek, and Jay had to reel in a flinch at the feel of the cool material of his friend's glove on his face. "Hey…you okay?"
Cole's inquiry was said in a deep and caring voice, and it took all of the azure ninja's discipline and restraint to not close the gap between them and hug the other man close. He wanted to bury his face in the crook of that sinewy neck and inhale that wonderful, musky scent. But, of course, he couldn't, because doing so would be going against his word. He had stationed himself at Nya's wingman. And as such, he was supposed to help her…not himself.
Fighting for control, Jay shied away from Cole's touch. "Yeah, I'm okay…" he mumbled, not at all convincingly and soon came to realize his mistake.
Cole frowned. "What's it gonna take for you to stop lying to me?" He asked with obvious distain, and Jay, feeling his temper flare, snapped back.
"What's it gonna take for you to back off!?"
Emerald eyes flashed and the Master of Earth stepped closer to Jay—close enough for the other man to feel the heat of his body. "I could tell you," he uttered, cool and collected. "But at the moment…you may not like the answer…"
Jay stared wide-eyed. What…?
Cole's hand soon took hold of his, and the frown lifted from sandrose lips. "C'mon, we can talk about us later," he amicably compromised, and Jay blinked out of his stupor at the words.
Us…?
Cole opened the door to the deck and led the way outside, and Jay was shocked further at being suddenly embraced once more by the frigid arms of winter. GAWD! Did it get colder?! He thought shivering, and instinctively mover closer to Cole for warmth. The sky shone in gray, the sun no longer in sight. Snow fell in thick flakes, instantly peppering Cole's black hair with white. Jay felt the thousands of feathers touch his head as well, and knew he most likely resembled the ninja leader. He moved his scarf to cover the lower half of his face and searched the deck for either Kai or Zane.
"Ahhh… Yes…"
Jay and Cole both turned to the blissful sigh and found their brother of ice standing above them near the helm of the ship. Zane's expression was the epitome of contentment as he stood in rapture against the frozen sky. His pure hazel optics were closed and his head was tilted slightly heavenward, the restless flakes seeming to swirl around his body by their own volition. The eldest of the Ninja suddenly lifted his black-gloved hands, and Jay watched entranced as beautiful crystals of ice blue materialized and gathered in his palms. Zane's display of his almost godlike control over his element soon came to a flourish as the convergence of shards suddenly exploded into the air and gave birth to a starburst of sparkling diamonds.
Enthralled, Jay raised his hand to catch a few of the glittering gemstones as they rained down on him and Cole. He smiled upon seeing them gleam prettily against the black of his gloved palm.
"Beautiful, aren't they brothers…?" Zane's soft tone caused Jay to look up again at the snow prince. His tall, lithe form dressed snuggly in pristine white. "This crystallized essence of which you hold in your hands is called diamond dust… It is the one of the rawest forms of my power…"
"As well as your namesake…Diamond."
Jay gave a slight start at suddenly hearing Kai's confident voice pierce the tranquil atmosphere, and turned his head to find the most heated one of them all standing at his shoulder. With a smirk on his lips, the fire ninja's golden gaze stared up at Zane amorously without shame.
"Kai…"
To Jay, Zane's smile couldn't have been more tender and affectionate as he unflinchingly met his opposite's eyes. With poise and grace, the white ninja jumped down and walked happily into Kai's waiting arms. Jay's heart felt light at seeing his two dearest friends openly express their feelings for one another. Although…he couldn't help but feel his heart throb with jealousy too. He couldn't do this with the one he wanted without his actions causing painful repercussions. The pendulum continued to swing… Nya's happiness was much more important than his.
A sudden firm squeeze to his hand sent him reeling, however, as he turned to the one his heart longed for. Cole was smiling at him, his emerald gaze warm and beckoning—yearning for the same thing as him. Jay's breath caught in his throat, feeling torn once again and on the verge of throwing his morals to the wind and giving in to his heart's desire. Would he be willing to be the snake in Nya's garden just to satisfy his own yearnings?
No… No… A chip came off Jay's heart as he returned Cole's gentle smile. If he had to put on a mask, he would. If he had to deny Cole, he would. As long as he kept his true emotions isolated, and his feelings for his best friend platonic…then he could guiltlessly fade into black.
"Jay, I talked to Nya."
The blue ninja gave his attention over to Kai once more, to see him eyeing him very intently. "Yeah? Is she okay?" He asked and Kai dipped his head assuredly, his arms still encircling Zane's waist.
"Yeah, she is. She told me she's just been under a bit of stress lately, and that's she's sorry for snapping at you earlier."
Jay's heart clenched painfully in his chest, knowing the reason why. "Oh, okay."
"She also wanted me to tell you something…" Kai's brow crinkled with circumspection as he said his next words. "…That she hoped you would keep your promise."
As if being caught red-handed, Jay immediately released Cole's hand and stepped away from the other ninja. Jay's jerky movements had been clearly unabated and did not go unnoticed by his three brethren. "…I…I will…" he mumbled brokenly, not seeing the sharp indignation darken Cole's face.
The ninja leader moved swiftly and reached for Jay, taking hold of his shoulders and forcing him to face him. Cole's gaze was hard and penetrating as he tried to search within uncooperative sapphires. "What is she talking about? What promise?"
Jay readied his mask. "It's something just between us," he said casually. "You should understand what that entails, but you shouldn't worry. It's not like you'll get hurt by it or anything."
Ever-caring, Cole persisted. "And what about you? Will you get hurt?"
"How would I get hurt?" Jay countered, cocking an eyebrow. He then deftly moved away from Cole and walked the short distance to the railings. He braced his hands on the frost-ridden, steel bars and looked below at the blissfully ignorant city. "Anyway, we have a mission, and you're our leader. So shouldn't you be focusing on—oh I don't know…" he looked at the black ninja pointedly over his shoulder, "…leading?"
Frowning, Cole held Jay's gaze. "A leader does more than just "lead", Jay. The safety and well-being of the ones who follow him outweigh the importance of the mission."
Jay laughed dryly. "Even if that mission concerns the entire world? The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, remember? It's about priority. Any other thoughts or feelings should be negated for the happiness of others…"
"When have your sights become so black and white?" Cole challenged heatedly. "When did the roles between the two of us reverse? Am I the only idealist now? Because I don't see any sacrificial lambs or pawns in this clan. I would put myself in harm's way before any of you guys, especially you, Jay. To me, you come first."
Unable to keep his new mask in place, Jay turned abruptly away from Cole and leapt up onto the railings. The arctic winds blew mercilessly, creeping through the lightning ninja's clothes and chilling his soul. He looked down at the city, seeing the howling wolf insignia of Wolf Network Broadcasting Station come into view. "Black or white… right or wrong… It's a simple concept without any needless complications…" Jay looked at Cole through his peripheral. "…Don't be a fool, Cole… The profile doesn't suit you…"
Having finished saying his piece, Jay let himself fall from the Bounty's railings and into the city below. And his brothers followed hurriedly after him.
*~XxX~*
The four ninjas touched ground-level safely by utilizing the hovering abilities their Spinjitzu granted. Taking cover in an empty alleyway beside Wolf Networks, they surveyed the crowded streets and sidewalks from the safety of the shadows.
"Already with the Christmas carols, huh? Alright, what are we waiting for?" Kai whispered impatiently to his clansmen. "Let's get inside this building and talk to someone, it's already five o'clock. If we're lucky, we can get the warning on the airwaves by the time the six o'clock news starts."
Kai started to move forward into the bright, festive lights of the sidewalk when he was suddenly pulled back into the darkness by Zane. "Hold on a moment, Kai…" The Russian hybrid looked about himself with caution, as if wary of a hidden enemy. "I…I sense something…"
The other three ninja immediately went on high-alert, aware of the astute accuracy the ice ninja's sixth sense ordained. "What is it, Zane?" Kai asked gently, his breath coming out is quick wisps of white.
The white ninja's brow furrowed. "Trickery… Deceit… Subterfuge… We must tread softly, brothers, for this building houses one of our enemies. And he has managed to finagle his way into the ranks of the news crew."
"Fuck!" Kai growled, and Cole's emerald eyes flashed in the dim light.
"Yeah, this isn't what we need right now… Okay, stay vigilant, boys. Let's go…"
Cole was the first to step out onto the sidewalk, blending in perfectly with the meandering populace, and the others followed. Jay happily stayed behind Cole at Kai's left shoulder, relishing in the continuous heat the fire ninja seemed to naturally emanate. The cold didn't seem as bad as it was back on the Bounty, but it was still bloody freezing!
Gah! What I wouldn't give for another cup of hot cocoa! Jay pouted and wrapped his arms around himself. Oh well…it's a good thing I have a brother who's a walking blast furnace… Not like we'll be out here long anyway…
Jay lifted his gaze ahead of him to Cole's back. The black ninja's tall, black figure against the thick fall of snow made him look more closed-off than usual, almost…lonesome. Even though he was surrounded by people on all sides, even though he was being followed and supported by his brothers. Jay licked his lips and sped up his gait—leaving his comfort zone—until he was walking shoulder to shoulder with Cole.
His best friend said nothing, though the emeralds did flicker his way briefly. It wasn't as warm walking beside Cole as it was Kai, but…Jay knew how to fix that. His hand brushed Cole's tentatively once before he mustered up his resolve to grab hold of it.
Cole blinked.
"Stop looking like that, you're scaring the people. It's Christmas, not Halloween," Jay whispered to his leader. It was a half-hearted attempt to loosen the frown on Cole's face, which in turn produced unsatisfactory results. The pair soon turned to head up a flight of stairs to the entrance doors of the broadcasting station, their legs lifting in unison, their feet planting on the snow-covered steps…in unison.
Jay's heart began to pound in anxiety as the doors neared. He didn't want to undergo this mission on bad terms with his best friend. "L-Listen I… I didn't call you a fool I… What I—What I meant was—"
"It seems Nya isn't the only one who's been under a bit of stress lately…"
Jay looked at Cole then, as the other was already turned towards him. Despite his good intentions of letting Nya spend more alone time with her new boyfriend, the last eleven days out of Cole's company had unwittingly drained him. He was tired…and Cole took notice through his recent behavior. And looking into the Master of Earth's brilliant green depths—actually looking without reservation…he could see just how miserable his friend was too.
"You… You haven't been sleeping…" Jay breathed softly—worriedly and Cole's lips quirked upward.
"Oh I've been sleeping," he sighed, his words producing a long stream of white. "Sometimes well, sometimes not. It's just my dreams…"
"Are you…still having nightmares…?" Jay hated the thought of Cole suffering the way he did like on the last night at his childhood home. Though it's not to say he hadn't been suffering lately these past nights too…his bed had never felt so cold, lonely, and downright uncomfortable. He missed his firm, warm Cole-pillow.
"Not really," replied Cole with a slow shake of his head. "Though my last dream was more like a nightmare within a dream…"
"Cole…" His concern now heightened, Jay pressed the other for more information. "You're not getting sick again, are you? I know you've been making frequent trips to the laundry room with your sheets. Are you throwing up?"
But to Jay's surprise and confusion, Cole's face instantly went beet-red as he turned away. "Ugh… No Jay, I'm not sick… Nothing like that…"
The blue ninja's keen hearing was the only reason he caught what his fellow ninja said. Brow now creased with bafflement, he pressed further. "Are you…wetting the bed…?" A particular crushing squeeze to his hand was his immediate answer, and the Master of Lightning nearly buckled from the pain. "Okay, okay, okay! Geez! All you had to say was no!"
Jay tried to pull away from the unbelievingly strong earth ninja, but the latter held fast to him, releasing his hand and tugging him closer by the waist. Now blushing himself, Jay had to bite his lip to stifle an unmanly yelp from escaping him.
"Listen, you have the data and know more about this stuff than any of us, so you do most of the talking, okay?"
"Uhh…" Cole's harshly whispered words made little sense to Jay, and the other man's hot breath against his chilled ear distracted him even more. Thus, it was with startled eyes that he looked to the front and realized they had made it to Wolf Networks' automatic sliding doors. It all came rushing back to Jay then: The clock winding down on the meteors descent towards Ninjago…impending doom for all life on the planet…Zane's warning of a possible enemy within the ranks of the news crew…
"Oh…okay…" Cole released him, and it was on wet-noodle legs that Jay Walker ambled through the doors and into the belly of the beast. He tried to get his thoughts together as he approached what he hoped was the receptionist's desk, but he was still distracted by Cole.
If he's not sick, and he didn't piss himself those nights then…that only leaves… Oh shit… Jay's blush wasn't going away any time soon. And…didn't he tell me that he's been dreaming about…me…?
Jay unexpectedly lost his footing and stumbled, but Cole's arms saved him from a would-be very embarrassing face-plant to the shiny tiled floor. The two ninja were too involved with each other to hear Zane's soft chuckle or Kai's deadpanned comment of: "No I don't think they're cute, Diamond. If anything they're the two most awkward people in the world. It's almost painful to even watch…"
"Jay! Are you alright?" Cole asked, pulling his friend upright. And Jay struggled internally for a moment before answering.
"Uh yeah, yeah—heh… I just panicked for a second." He thought quickly when he caught Cole's doubtful look. "The rapid change in temp really threw me, that's all." Jay winced. Okay, so he really, really sucked at lying. But before Cole could call him out on it, Jay took a few brisk steps forward and settled his hands on the receptionist's desk counter.
A strawberry blonde woman was typing away at her computer, her profile appearing bored yet pretty all the same, even if she was wearing a tad too much make-up. He felt the others flank him supportively—Cole on his left with Zane and Kai taking place on his right.
"Seems kinda empty…" Kai muttered, but nevertheless, Jay cleared his throat and ran a nervous hand through his hair.
"Um excuse me, is there someone we can talk to about something urgent?" He asked politely. "There could be a possible crisis at hand and we would like to share our information to the public."
The woman stopped typing and glanced his way in the most nonchalant manner possible. But it only lasted for maybe a fraction of a second, for the woman's pale blue eyes suddenly widened with shock…realization…and fear. Her form visibly trembled as her mouth fell agape, and she jerked her head from one ninja to the next.
Jay immediately tensed—hell, they all tensed. Jay swallowed. "Um…miss…?"
The woman suddenly shot up from her chair and screamed, pointing at Jay all the while. "SECURITY! SECURITY! IT'S THEM! THE KIDNAPPERS WHO STOLE GENERAL CLOUSE'S WIFE!"
"WHAT?!"
That was the only word Jay was able to get out before numerous doors slammed open. A thunderous cacophony of combat boots hit the floor as soldiers fitted with armor and riot shields filed strategically into the room brandishing state-of-the-art, semi-automatic rifles.
"Shit…" Cole muttered darkly, eyeing the emotionless faces of the soldiers behind their shields. "Definitely not what we needed right now…"
The ninja had been completely surrounded by New Ninjago City's SWAT Team.
Author's Note: Bad news bears… Please leave your thoughts!